Community Giving in Rockwood

Order of the Bear believes community spaces should give back to the community around them. Games bring people to the table, but community is what makes the table matter.

Order of the Bear is a volunteer-run not-for-profit tabletop gaming club in Rockwood, Ontario. Through our events, shared space, donated games, and community activities, we support local connection, affordable recreation, and community giving across Rockwood and Guelph/Eramosa.

Supporting the Lions Pantry

Order of the Bear regularly supports the Lions Pantry by collecting food and pantry items through our events and community activities.

We try to include a food drive component in our main events whenever possible. Players, families, visitors, and supporters are encouraged to bring pantry items when they attend Order of the Bear activities.

If you bring food or pantry items to the club, we will make sure they get to the Lions Pantry so they can help local families and neighbours.

What Pantry Items Can You Bring?

We welcome non-perishable pantry items that can help support local food needs. Useful donations may include:

• Canned goods
• Pasta and rice
• Peanut butter and spreads
• Cereal and oatmeal
• Soup and stews
• School-safe snacks
• Personal care items
• Other unopened pantry staples

Please make sure donated food items are unopened, in good condition, and not expired.

Board Game Donations That Give Back

Order of the Bear also accepts board game and card game donations throughout the year.

Some donated games become part of our club library. Others may be better suited for families, casual players, younger players, or community giveaway tables. Children’s games, classic family games, duplicate copies, and familiar titles like Monopoly, Risk, and other casual games may still be useful even if they are not the right fit for regular club play.

When we receive enough extra donated games, we look for opportunities to give them back to the community.

Community Game Giveaways

Order of the Bear has hosted “help yourself” game tables at local community events such as Party in the Park, and we plan to do this again when we have enough donated games available.

These giveaway tables help get games into the hands of local families, kids, new players, and community members who may enjoy having something fun to play at home.

Donating a game you no longer use can help someone else discover the joy of playing together.

What Game Donations Can We Use?

We may be able to accept:

• Modern board games
• Family board games
• Children’s games
• Card games
• Classic games
• Duplicate games
• Role-playing game books or supplies
• Dice, tokens, playmats, and game accessories

Games should be clean, safe, and in usable condition. A few missing pieces may not always be a problem, but badly damaged, moldy, unsafe, or heavily incomplete games may not be suitable for donation.

Why Community Giving Matters

Community giving is part of what makes Order of the Bear more than a game club.

When people gather around games, we have a chance to do something bigger: support local families, share resources, reduce waste, create affordable recreation, and help more people experience the joy of playing together.

Whether you bring a pantry item, donate a game, support a giveaway table, or help with a food drive, you are helping Order of the Bear build a stronger and more connected local community.

Frequently Asked Questions About Community Giving

Can I bring pantry items to any Order of the Bear event?

Yes. Pantry items are welcome at Order of the Bear activities. When we collect food or pantry donations, we make sure they are passed along to the Lions Pantry.

What kind of food donations are best?

Non-perishable pantry staples are best. Canned goods, pasta, rice, cereal, oatmeal, soup, school-safe snacks, and personal care items are all useful. Please make sure items are unopened and not expired.

Can I donate used board games?

Yes. We accept clean, safe, usable board games and card games. Some games may be added to the club library, while others may be saved for community giveaway tables.

Do donated games need to be complete?

Complete games are best, but a few missing pieces may not always be a problem. Games that are badly damaged, moldy, unsafe, or heavily incomplete may not be suitable.

How can local businesses or community groups help?

Local businesses, groups, and supporters can contact Order of the Bear about supporting food drives, community outreach, game giveaways, sponsorships, or in-kind donations.

Help Us Give Back

Want to support community giving through Order of the Bear? Bring pantry items to an event, donate games for our library or giveaway tables, or contact us about supporting future food drives and community outreach.